Have you ever been to therapy? There is a common misconception that therapy is for people with severe mental health issues. The reality is that therapy can be for anyone. Working professionals, athletes, and even kids go to therapy. Therapy can be a great way for us to learn coping skills, check our mental wellbeing, as well as get advice that actually helps our situation. If you care about your mental health, going to therapy is a good step! Let’s destigmatize going to counseling or mental health therapy together.
We also made a video on the signs your mental health is getting worse:
Credits:
Script Writer: Sara Del Villar
Script Editor: Isadora Ho
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice: Amanda Silvera www.youtube.com/AmandaSilvera
Animator: Nina Draws (new animator)
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong
Land on the Golden Gate by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Source:
Artist:
Cohen, I. (2021, February 25). 9 Signs You Should Think About Seeing a Therapist. The Healthy. www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/signs-need-therapy/.
Ferguson, S. (2020, June 30). Yes, Mental Illness Can Cause Physical Symptoms — Here’s Why. healthline. www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/mental-illness-can-cause-physical-symptoms.
Legg, T. J., & Fraga, J. (2019, August 15). 7 Physical Symptoms That Prove Depression Is Not Just ‘In Your Head.’healthline. www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/physical-symptoms-of-depression.
Nazish, N. (2019, September 20). 10 Sure Signs You Need To See A Therapist (And How To Find The Right One). Forbes. www.forbes.com/sites/nomanazish/2019/09/20/10-sure-signs-you-need-to-see-a-therapist-and-how-to-find-the-right-one/?sh=4fc117a9501b.
Salters-Pedneault, K., & Gans, S. (2020, September 15). How to Improve Your Emotion Regulation Skills for Better Health. Verywell Mind. www.verywellmind.com/emotion-regulation-skills-training-425374.
Salters-Pedneault, K., & Morin, A. (2019, September 17). Why Suppressing Emotions Doesn’t Work for People With BPD. Verywell Mind. www.verywellmind.com/suppressing-emotions-425391.
How to Get Started on a Treatment Plan For Depression
Many people who are suffering from depression feel embarrassed about seeking help. The stigma surrounding depression causes many people to try to hide their symptoms, tough it out, or even misuse drugs and alcohol. But seeking treatment can actually help you overcome depression and start living a normal life again. Treatment for depression typically involves a combination of therapy and medication, and can help you return to normal activity and function better. Here are some tips to get started on a treatment plan for depression.
First, make an appointment with your GP. Most primary care doctors will be able to identify depression. Often, screenings for depression are a part of routine visits. However, if you are suffering from depression with severe symptoms, you should ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start restoring your quality of life. Symptoms of depression may be mistaken for physical ailments, so seek medical help as soon as possible.
Psychotherapy for depression can come in a variety of forms, and may require several sessions. Some people may benefit from cognitive therapy, which aims to challenge negative thought patterns, while others may find that behavioral therapy changes certain patterns of behavior. However, it may take several months or years to see results. Depending on the severity of the depression, psychotherapy may not be the best option for everyone. While it’s not always necessary to seek professional help for depression, it can help you live a normal life.
Another option for treatment for depression is to undergo guided self-help. Although this option can be helpful for those with mild depression, it should be used only if the symptoms get worse and you think about suicide. Unless your depression has become severe, it is best to try self-help approaches on your own and don’t seek professional help until your symptoms worsen. But if the depression is severe, you may want to seek medical attention for a thorough diagnosis and treatment.
A combination of therapy and medication is usually the most effective approach for treatment. Psychotherapy is an excellent option, as it may help you overcome your depression and get back to the activities you once loved. However, if you’re suffering from chronic depression, you may not be able to enjoy many of the things you used to do, so it’s a good idea to talk with friends and family about these activities. The benefits of these activities will start to manifest themselves as you recover and feel better.
Psychological treatments, also known as talking therapies, aim to identify the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression and reshape them to help you overcome your condition. CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, is the most common form of this therapy. It involves monitoring negative thinking patterns, changing them, and coping with life’s difficulties. It can also be used as a preventative measure. In this way, you can improve your quality of life and avoid future depression by improving your relationships.
